Veteran Of 30 Missions Missing In Pacific Theatre Since Nov. 16
Staff Sgt. Ahti J.. Wuori, only child of Mr. and Mrs. John Wuori of 90 East Cross street, Norwood, has been missing in action in the Pacific theater since November 16th, his parents have been informed in a War Department telegram.
Sgl. Wuori has been serving a$ a gunner on a B-24 Liberator operating from the Dutch East Indies. His last letter to his family, written November 13th, said he had just completed his 30th mission.
Sgt. Wuori graduated from the Harlingen aerial gunnery school of the AAF training command at Harlingen Army Air Field, Texas, a year ago next month. From the Headquarters of the Allied Air Forces in the southwest Pacific area. Lieutenant General George C. Kenney. Commander, recently wrote Sgt. Wuori s mother of the award of the Air Medal to her son.
The Lt. General’s letter said the award was made “in recognition of courageous service to his combat organization, his fellow American airmen, his country, his home, and lo you.” S/Sgt. Wuori was cited for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flights in the Southwest-Pacific Area from June 7 to July 4, 1944.
Said the Lt. General’s letter: “Your son took part in sustained operational flight missions during which hostile contact was probable and expected. These flights included bombing missions against enemy installations, shipping and supply bases, and aided considerably in recent successes in this theatre.”
ENLISTED IN 1942
Twenty-one years of age, Sgt. Wuori was graduated from Norwood High School with the class of 1.041. He enlisted on December 7, 1942, and received training at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., and at bases in Alabama and Mississippi,, before receiving his gunner’s wings at Harlingen. He was last home on furlough following his graduation from the gunnery school.
He left for overseas service from a field in California in March. 1944.
Before entering the service. Sgt. Wuori was employed at the Plimpton Press and at Borowski’s Greenhouses.